would find occasion against us.' But, by way of consolation, they
gave her a whistle, and showed her that the window of their cottage
was much nearer to a loophole-slit looking towards the east than
she had fancied. The whistle perpetrated a mist unearthly screech,
a good deal like that of an owl, but more discordant, and Nanon
assured her that the sound would assuredly break her slumbers, and
bring her in a few minutes at any moment of need. In fact, the
noise was so like the best authenticated accounts of the shrieks
indulged in by the spirits of the Temple, that Eustacie had wit
enough to suspect that it might be the foundation of some of the
stories; and with that solace to her alarms, she endured the
departure of her hosts, Nanon promising a visit in the early
morning.

The poor child was too weary to indulge in many terrors, the
beneficent torpor of excessive fatigue was upon her, happily
bringing slumberous oblivion instead of feverish restlessness. She
strove to repeat her accustomed orisons; but sleep was too strong
for her, and she was soon lying dreamlessly upon the clean homely
couch prepared for her.

When she awoke, it was with a start. The moon was shining in
through the circular window, making strange white shapes on the
floor, all quivering with the shadows of the ivy sprays. It looked
strange and eerie enough at the moment, but she understood it the
next, and would have been reassured if she had not become aware
that there was a low sound, a tramp, tramp, below her. 'Gracious
saints! The Templar! Have mercy on me! Oh! I was too sleepy to
pray! Guard me from being driven wild by fright!' She sat
upright, with wide-spread eyes, and, finding that she herself was